The race, managed by Rex Crouch, is a benefit race for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) and will be held this Saturday, March 17th at the Ellerbe Lions Club Raceway.

The weekend –long event will actually begin on Friday, with the track opening at 8:00 a.m. Open practice will be from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Cornhole, horseshoes, and bench racing will be offered from 6:30 p.m. – until.

Crouch established the race in 2011 after his young daughter, Taylor, was diagnosed with JRA. Feeling a call to action, Crouch began searching for a way to help. It seemed only natural that, having raced for many years, Crouch would establish a benefit race for JRA. Thus, ‘Racing 4 Taylor’ began. This week-end will be Crouch’s sixth year organizing the race.

JRA, an autoimmune disorder, is a type of arthritis that causes joint inflammation, stiffness and pain in children aged 16 or younger. It affects approximately 50,000 children in the United States.

People from all over the country participate in this national race. Crouch states, “We’ll have people coming from about 20 different states. There will be from 60-100 lawn mowers participating.” Crouch said that racers learned of the race through websites and Facebook. The Outlaw Triple Crown Mower Racing Series has 7 different races throughout the United States, one being ‘Racing 4 Taylor.’ He says, “I believe this is the only benefit race in this series.”

Crouch started the first ‘Racing 4 Taylor’ race by himself. He advertised it by word of mouth as well as online. Then he became connected at the national level. Crouch says that he races from March - November and comes in contact with a lot of different people.

Needless to say, this particular race is close to Crouch’s heart. “This one does mean a little more to me. Two weeks after this race she (his daughter, Taylor,) will actually be going in for some surgery.”

Crouch says he raised $5,000 for the inaugural ‘Racing 4 Taylor’ event and has yet to beat that. “We have a bet between a bunch of different racers throughout the series on which team can raise the most money. This year we have a special trophy for the top donation raised. Whoever shows up with the most money for the foundation will win.” Crouch is hoping to surpass his first year’s record.

All proceeds go to the JRA foundation.

Donations can be given to Crouch or directly to the JRA Foundation in honor of Taylor Crouch.